JFH Music News

July, 2012

*Tuesday, July 31, 2012*

High-energy rock band, Remedy Drive, is poised to release its debut project on Centricity Music September 18, 2012. Resuscitate features three new members of the group; Timmy Jones/drums, Dave Mohr/guitar, Corey Horn/bass, and frontman David Zach who is the only remaining original member. The album, produced by Pete Kipley (Matthew West, Kutless, MercyMe), offers ten new songs that were co-written by the band. Two new singles from the project, "Better Than Life," (AC/CHR) and "Resuscitate Me" (Rock), are now going for adds at radio and videos of both songs will be released in early August...
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Word Worship's passionate and powerful vocalist, Meredith Andrews' newly released tune, "Not For A Moment (After All)," is available for purchase today at online retailers (iTunes link: http://smarturl.it/meredithandrews). The single, which is the most added song on AC radio this week, is the lead track off her upcoming album, Worth It All, due out January 22, 2013. Andrews, also a worship leader at Harvest Bible Chapel just outside of Chicago, is gearing up to join their "Vertical Church Tour" which kicks off in Minneapolis on August 8...
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Before they wrapped the spring leg of their highly successful 60-city God's Not Dead Tour, Newsboys announced the extension of the tour through the fall of 2012. Hitting 35+ cities across the U.S., the fall leg of this much sought after tour will kick off September 20th in Johnson City, TN and wrap in San Antonio, TX on November 18th.
Joining Newsboys on the fall leg will be Building 429 (Provident Label Group) and Luminate (Sparrow/EMI). Compassion International will continue their highly successful partnership...
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Hillsong LIVE returns to the U.S. to share from their latest worship album, Cornerstone, which set a record as the first Hillsong album to debut on all major mainstream music charts in the world. With more than 11 million albums sold, Hillsong LIVE has traveled to the U.S. to bring their worship experience across the nation. This tour begins on September 12 in Boston, MA and will conclude on September 25 in Denver, CO (dates below). Tickets are on sale now for the 12-city tour - click here to purchase tickets...
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*Monday, July 30, 2012*

The film that received widespread support and praise from fans, critics, Christian leaders and more, Blue Like Jazz, will release on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, digital download and On Demand August 7, 2012, by Lionsgate Entertainment. Based on The New York Times best-selling novel that swept the nation, Blue Like Jazz brings Donald Miller's semi-autobiographical stories and reflections to life, following his path to self-discovery and a deeper...
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*Friday, July 27, 2012*

SWITCHFOOT will launch an extensive fall tour on September 26th at Rams Head Live in Baltimore, MD. The run, featuring special guest Paper Route, will include shows at the Theatre of the Living Arts in Philadelphia, PA (10/2), Detroit's St. Andrews Hall (10/11) and Vinyl, the new music venue at the Hard Rock Café & Casino in Las Vegas (10/26 & 27). It will conclude on October 28th at City National Grove of Anaheim in Southern California. See below for itinerary. "The Original,"the blazingly catchy third single from SWITCHFOOT'S latest album, Vice Verses, goes to Modern Rock radio in early September...
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Proven hitmaker and three-time GMA Dove Award winner Chris August is now less than a month away from the release of his new album, The Upside of Down, his second for Fervent Records/Word. Not wanting to keep everything under wraps, though, August is now revealing the already buzzed-about project's cover art and track listing.
The 14-track record was co-produced by August alongside Ian Eskelin (Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets)...
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On Wednesday, Word Entertainment celebrated Group 1 Crew's first No. 1 on Billboard's Christian CHR chart with "He Said (Feat. Chris August)" at a special party in honor of the achievement...
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*Thursday, July 26, 2012*

Two-time GRAMMY® nominee Matthew West is set to follow up his critically acclaimed 2010 album, The Story of Your Life, with the release of a collection of brand-new songs titled Into The Light on September 25, 2012. The new studio album, produced by Pete Kipley, features 12 tracks inspired by letters submitted by the thousands after West invited people to send him their stories. The songs making up this sixth studio project from West were written mostly while he was on tour this spring with Casting Crowns...
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As one of the industry's premier worship leaders, Kari Jobe continues to impact the church with her newest special EP release, The Acoustic Sessions, available now on iTunes. This EP features acoustic versions of her most popular songs plus two acoustic performance videos. The EP peaked at the top of the iTunes Christian & Gospel album chart where it remains in the Top 10 along with her sophomore full-length project Where I Find You, which she released earlier this year to much acclaim...
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With an exuberant personality, strong vocals and superb songwriting skills, it's with eager anticipation that the music industry is waiting for Karyn Williams' national debut project on Inpop Records, Only You, which releases August 28, 2012. The 11-song album features original compositions co-written by Williams and generated interest from multiple producers who handled the production; Brian G. White, Barry Weeks, Chris Bevins, Craig Swift, and Keith Everett Smith. Only You will be released exclusively to Christian Family Stores on the 28th and at the same time to all digital outlets...
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After three-time GRAMMY® Nominee Mandisa delivered last April's immensely successful and fastest-selling album, What If We Were Real, the American Idol finalist will follow up with the release of her new EP, Get Movin', available exclusively at all digital retailers on August 14. The five-song assortment features tracks that span the vocal powerhouse's discography, opening with the thrilling Capital Kings interpretation of her current smash single "Good Morning," featuring TobyMac. The single continues to rise at radio...
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Reggae pioneers Christafari have returned to their roots with the release of their latest album, Reggae Worship: A Roots Revival (Lion of Zion Entertainment), which is now available at all major digital retailers including iTunes, GospelReggae.com and select stores. Christafari pioneered the genre of Gospel Reggae with their first album, 1993's Reggae Worship Volume 1, which catapulted them onto the Billboard charts. On Reggae Worship: A Roots Revival, Christafari reworks classic hymns, reinterprets...
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Facedown Records are excited to announce that Ark of the Covenant have signed with Facedown Records. AOTC came out swinging in 2011 with that infamous Connecticut brand of driven hardcore. They recorded their EP Separation at Silver Bullet Studio (Shai Hulud, Life in Your Way) and released it with Strike First Records. Now they're back at Silver Bullet, recording their first full length Self Harvest with Gregory Thomas of Misery Signals...
<< Full Report >>

With more than 1000 hours of airings on PBS stations across the country, garnering the highest debut for any artist on public television thus far, a Billboard top-ten Classical Crossover album, an extensive tour schedule of over 80 concerts a year, performing before 100,000+ people and high profile media appearances in print and on television, the universally acclaimed Annie Moses Band soars to new heights in their new release, Pilgrims & Prodigals...
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*Wednesday, July 25, 2012*

Acclaimed hit-maker Brandon Heath returns to his roots and creates new ones with his fourth full-length album project, Blue Mountain, releasing October 9.
The Nashville native merges ancient tones and modern music-making on this 12-track musical journey full of heart and back-porch ease. It fleshes out characters created for, and residing in, a fictional Appalachian setting called 'Blue Mountain,' which, as is frequently the case with great art, are slices of the storyteller himself...
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Four-time GRAMMY Award winner Israel Houghton appeared on ABC's "The View" live yesterday as part of a The King's Men tour group interview and performance. In a television first, Israel, along with friends Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin and Marvin Sapp, performed a medley of their best-known songs on the same stage for the "The View" audience. The appearance was in support of the national The King's Men tour launching Sept. 16 and produced by Live Nation Entertainment (see full tour itinerary below). The tour marks the first time these four GRAMMY, Dove and Stellar award-winning artists have toured together...
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Slospeak Records is pleased to announce that Golden Youth is now officially a member of the Slospeak artist roster. The band recently signed an artist development deal with the independent label. Golden Youth is a culmination of the musical aspirations of Stephanie Lauren Smith and Kyle Monroe. They work to record relevant music that is not only memorable but innovative, unique and filled with hope. "We don't want to be just another sound that comes from your speakers," Stephanie shares. "We want to write something that's different, pulls emotions and brings joy...
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*Tuesday, July 24, 2012*

The Winter Jam 2012 Tour Spectacular, the #1 tour in the world for the first quarter, is slated to head West this fall, headlined by GRAMMY® winning multi-platinum recording artist TobyMac. Hitting seven major U.S. cities and boasting a line-up of some of the top names in Christian music, Winter Jam West Coast will kick-off November 9 in Ontario, California.
Created and hosted by GRAMMY®-nominated Christian music mainstay NewSong, the tour's Western dates will also feature RED, Sidewalk Prophets, Jamie Grace, Chris August...
<< Full Report >>

With less than a month to go before the release of Wait for the Siren, seminal rock band Project 86 has premiered a new track, "Off The Grid," today, exclusively on Altpress.com. Wait for the Siren is scheduled release on August 21 and is available for preorder now in a variety of exclusive bundles at...
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Grammy nominated and Reach Records artist Lecrae is set to release his highly anticipated album Gravity on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, which will feature Mali Music, Mathai (The Voice), label mates Trip Lee and Tedashii as well as production from DJ Khalil, Street Symphony's Heat Academy and The Watchmen. This record is the follow up to his 2010 smash releases Rehab and the EP Rehab: The Overdose, which sold over 345,000 units combined as well as debuted at # 5 on the Billboard Hip-Hop Charts and #17 on the Top 200, Gravity will showcase Lecrae's thought provoking lyrical technique, live instrumentation and amazing beats that will keep fans wanting more...
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After completing a headlining promotional tour in anticipation of his forthcoming album The Midsummer Station (out August 21st via Republic Records) and a debut on Billboard's Hot 100 at #18, Owl City is excited to release the official music video for his summer smash "Good Time," a duet with pop princess Carly Rae Jepsen, today, July 24th. "Good Time" Premieres on MTV and VEVO Today - Watch the video now...
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Southern California native, Evan Craft will release his first ever spanish speaking album. The album, which is a mixture of soulful pop rock and deeply hopeful ballads is sure to excite the spanish speaking as well as english speaking fans. Coming off of a very successful album Giants, that was released this past March, Evan showed his spanish speaking skills with a bonus track entitled, "No Hay Nadie". The response from that song inspired him to release a full albums worth of new material after that. Jonathan Thulin performs guest vocals in spanish on a song called, "Solo Eres Tu" that will surely feel your spirit with hope after just one listen...
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In:ciite media announces the upcoming release of Highlands Worship's debut CD, Place of Freedom, available in stores September 18, 2012 distributed by EMI CMG Distribution. As the musical worship force behind the Church of the Highlands located in Birmingham, Ala., Highlands Worship is proving to be a fresh lyrical powerhouse in the worship community worshiping God with sincere expression...
<< Full Report >>

*Monday, July 23, 2012*

Adding to a huge year highlighted by numerous award nods-including nominations for two GRAMMY® Awards, a GMA Dove Award and a Billboard Music Award-decorated Sparrow Records singer-songwriter Matthew West can now add an Emmy nomination to that ever-growing list. West was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Original Music and Lyrics for his song "The Heart of Christmas" from the film The Heart of Christmas. The 64th Primetime Emmy® Awards? program will air on September 23rd...
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Due to changes going on at The Daily Buzz, Karyn Williams will now guest host on Wednesday, July 25 and then again on Friday, July 27. After her successful appearance on the nationally syndicated morning show July 12, The Daily Buzz invited Williams back to serve as a guest co-host of the program. Besides a powerful performance of her new single, Rest In The Hope, Williams gave a lively and entertaining interview, along with taking part in the show's cooking segment...
<< Full Report >>

The Grammy-nominated rock group AS I LAY DYING have premiered a lyric video for their new song "Cauterize." This news comes as the San Diego based rock group is about to head on the road for the Rockstar Mayhem Festival. Fans can expect to see the band--renowned for delivering explosive live performances--all summer long on the Mayhem Festival alongside select U.S. solo dates (see full itinerary below). Watch the clip for "Cauterize" here: http://www.metalblade.com/asilaydying/...
<< Full Report >>

New artist Victoria Griffith recently performed, along with legendary singer/songwriter Ginny Owens, at the Rainsville Tornado Memorial Concert, an event held in remembrance of the five tornadoes that swept through DeKalb County, Ala., on April 27, 2011, demolishing hundreds of homes, businesses and farm buildings, and ultimately taking the lives of 35 county residents. Griffith is a resident of DeKalb County...
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Nashville, Tenn., July 23, 2012: GRAMMY® Nominee and Best New Artist Dove Award winner Jamie Grace's wave of acclaim and popularity continues, now finding her making an appearance on ABC's hit talk show 'The View.' On Tuesday, July 24th, Jamie Grace will perform her No. 1 hit song "Hold Me," live during a special Gospel show that will also feature Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin...
<< Full Report >>

Four-time GRAMMY Award winner Israel Houghton will appear on "The View" tomorrow, Tuesday, July 24th. In a television first, Israel, along with friends Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin and Marvin Sapp, will perform a medley of their best-known songs on the same stage for the "The View" audience. The show begins at 11 a.m. EST / 10 a.m. CST. The appearance is in support of the national The King's Men tour launching Sept. 16 and hitting major US markets, including Los Angeles, Houston...
<< Full Report >>

*Friday, July 20, 2012*

Fan favorite rockers Number One Gun have reunited to create a new full-length studio album. To help fund the album, the band has started a Kickstarter campaign. Fans can donate to this project and help them reach their goal by clicking here.
In addition to raising money for their album, they will also be making a DVD of behind the scenes of the making of the project...
<< Full Report >>

New Essential Records artist the Rhett Walker Band turns out a strong debut showing with its first national label release, Come To The River (July 10), making a powerful impression at both retail and radio. This week Come To The River entered Billboard's Overall Contemporary Christian chart at No. 9, while the project's first single, "When Mercy Found Me," holds steady at No. 7 on the Billboard Christian AC Indicator chart. The band's remarkable debut comes as no surprise given early momentum surrounding its release...
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*Thursday, July 19, 2012*

Solid State Records has announced the signing of their latest talent, Fit for a King: "We'd like to welcome Fit For A King to the Solid State Family! The Texas-based metalcore band has been elbowing its way onto the national scene as a full-time touring outfit, cultivating fans with a crushingly heavy, artful take on the genre that gives subtle tips of the hat to bands as diverse as The Acacia Strain, Circa Survive and Linkin Park. For an intro to the band, check out a new video for their song...
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In preparation for their upcoming album release, emerging rock group Abel has premiered a brand new track, "Daughter," from their forthcoming album, Make It Right, today on Absolutepunk.net. Make It Right is now available for digital pre-order through the band's Bandcamp page and physical pre-order through the band's official web store (http://abeltheband.merchmo.com). Physical pre-orders will receive an exclusive download...
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Slospeak Records' pop/rock act Pioneer will release their music video for "Lights" today on Substream Music Press. Watch it right HERE. The premier will last for one day before the video is available on Youtube. In addition, their second single, "Dreams," quickly climbed the BDS Rock Charts and held the #1 spot for the second week in a row. "Lights" is from their self-titled release produced by Mark Townsend...
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*Wednesday, July 18, 2012*

Following their month-long domination at No. 1 on the Christian AC radio chart with the title track from their best-selling CD The Hurt & The Healer, the multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated, American Music Award and multiple GMA Dove Award winning band MercyMe has delivered The Making of The Hurt & The Healer short film. MercyMe unveils it at MercyMe.org this week, where for a limited time it will be available direct to fans first for $5. This fall it will be available through iTunes...
<< Full Report >>

Show Hope™ is proud to announce that this month commemorates the three-year anniversary of Maria's Big House of Hope. They have also reached another milestone as they celebrate the admission of the 500th child into their care, a one-year-old boy named Warren. Maria's Big House of Hope is located in Luoyang, China, and welcomed Warren earlier this month. Warren's complex heart condition is inoperable in China, but it is possible that it could be surgically corrected in the United States...
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The annual Hillsong Conference, held earlier this month in Sydney, Australia, showed the world how ministry is changing. While more than 20,000 people packed Allphones Arena, the city's largest indoor stadium, at least 100,000 others across the globe watched the live stream or from the new Hillsong App. It was the first time the conference was streamed across the web, and Hillsong's Reuben Morgan hailed it a great success...
<< Full Report >>

Yesterday, the newest member of Reach Records, KB, unveiled his debut full-length project Weight & Glory. Within 24 hours, the album has already hit No. 2 on iTunes ® Hip Hop chart and is climbing the Overall iTunes ® chart, currently holding the No. 7 spot.
Additionally, Weight & Glory is receiving rave reviews from music critics across the board...
<< Full Report >>

After more than a decade of channeling his talents into a variety of eclectic musical pursuits, Gabriel Wilson - a producer, songwriter, touring artist and worship leader - is debuting his solo effort, The McGuire Side, on September 18th. While Wilson has successfully managed the spirit of joining rock and roll with Scripture these past ten years, he has never been as personal, vulnerable and transparent as he is with The McGuire Side...
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After her successful appearance on the nationally syndicated morning show July 12, The Daily Buzz invited Karyn Williams back to serve as a guest co-host of the program on July 25 and 26. Besides a powerful performance of her new single, "Rest In The Hope," Williams gave a lively and entertaining interview, along with taking part in the show's cooking segment. Her vivacious personality caught the attention of the show's executives and in a matter of days an offer was made for the co-hosting appearances...
<< Full Report >>

OCTOBER BABY, a limited-release indie film, surprised moviegoers and critics alike when, against stiff competition, it opened this February at No. 8 at the box office. The film's sensitive story about the value of life-wrapped in humor, romance and drama-earned it a spot among CNN's 15 Most Impressive Box Office Performances for 2012.
Now, on Sept. 1 from B&H Publishing Group, comes the hit film's novelization (Amazon.com). Fans will be eager to know that...
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In an effort to unite and engage the local community in their hometown of Spring Hill, Tennessee, Daily Audio Bible announced in May a monumental community project that would allow volunteers to literally change lives on the other side of the planet. In mid-May, a 40-foot cargo container arrived in the parking lot of Daily Audio Bible's Wind Farm Café. Over the next two months, the container was transformed into a state-of-the-art classroom, complete with computer equipment and school supplies...
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*Tuesday, July 17, 2012*

As the old saying goes….all good things must come to an end. It was announced today by Downhere that the band will end their music ministry in January 2013 with a final tour this fall. Dates will be announced in the near future. Statement from Downhere: "Hello friends, It is with many memories and deep feelings that we relay to you the decision we have made over the course of the last year...
<< Full Report >>

Reach Records, home to award-winning artists such as Lecrae, Trip Lee and Tedashii, is proud to present KB as its newest hip hop artist to join their diverse roster. Together, they unveil the debut album Weight & Glory, available in stores nationwide starting today, July 17, 2012. Weight & Glory is the follow-up full-length album to Kevin Burgess' (otherwise known as KB) 2011 mixed-tape, titled Who is KB? Since its debut...
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Jesus Fest WV presents the 7th annual Jesus Fest in downtown Clarksburg, West Virginia on August 10th-12th. This year's theme "STILL One Nation under God" will unite believers all through the area using great music and speakers to celebrate together. Headlining this year's Jesus Fest will be KJ-52, Charlie Hall, John Waller, Project 86...
<< Full Report >>

Immersion Digital is thrilled to announce that on July 13th, 2012 Glo Bible and Powered by Glo products reached the milestone of 1 million app downloads. 1 million downloads translates into over 30 million minutes of Bible reading in over 120 countries. "The heart of our mission is to leverage on technology to promote Bible engagement in this digital age...
<< Full Report >>

Folk/pop singer/songwriters Jenny & Tyler recently appeared on FOX 4's Good Day Dallas to perform "Little Balloon," the lead track from their critically-acclaimed recording, Open Your Doors. Pictured on the set are (l-r) Dan Godwin, Good Day Dallas; Tyler & Jenny Somers; and Good Day Dallas' Lauren Przybyl...
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*Monday, July 16, 2012*

Big Idea Entertainment, a leading studio and producer of children's and family programming, characters and brands, announced today they will extend their highly successful VeggieTales Live! God Made You Special tour in over 45 major markets nationwide-including Tulsa, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Tampa and more-beginning September 13, 2012. For the current tour itinerary, ticket information and group sales, please visit VeggieTales.com/live...
<< Full Report >>

Missouri native and worship pastor at James River Assembly, STEVEN WELCH, known throughout various church music-loving circles for his unique alternative indie worship approach to Christian music, will launch his first album, COLOR OF LOVE on Dream Records on Tuesday, September 18th, 2012. The album, which is a mixture of calming sounds with deep lyrics will surely excite the music community for it's originality...
<< Full Report >>

Maranatha! Music announces the upcoming release of The Invitation with Lee Strobel featuring the renowned New York Times best-selling author, pastor and apologist presenting evidence that God exists, Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God, and that listeners can become children of God by receiving forgiveness through Christ. The release is the latest in the best-selling series, which has sold over 2 million copies and also includes updated companion CD re-releases of The Invitation To Freedom by Beth Moore, The Invitation To Hope by Kay Warren, and The Invitation To Celebrate Recovery by John Baker...
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*Sunday, July 15, 2012*

Razzbarry Records is proud to announce the signing of TEMPLE VEIL, an acoustic guitar and violin duo based in Tampa Bay, FL. The duo is DeRock (Violin/Vocals) and Brysson (Acoustic Guitar), both former members of the Christian hard rock outfit Post Mortum. The personalities of these two are as unique as their childhoods. DeRock would best be described as man of action. Thriving in group settings, he can always be found where the action is...
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*Friday, July 13, 2012*

IMMERSE, the Gospel Music Association's Music Training Experience, is once again raising the bar in its content, offering attendees unprecedented access and guidance from some of the most influential and successful names in all aspects of the business. The fourth annual event, to be held July 22-25 at Rocketown in Nashville, TN, provides up and coming indie artists, songwriters and future business leaders with unparalleled training, intimate concerts, professional feedback, networking mixers and individual opportunities to connect with music experts...
<< Full Report >>

Nashville-based youth outreach facility Rocketown will host "Comedy for a Cause," a casual and uproarishly funny night benefitting local at-risk youth, on Oct. 9 at 7:00 pm. The event, chaired by comedian Jeff Foxworthy and wife Gregg, will include performances by comics Jeff Allen and Henry Cho.
In addition to being a popular concert venue, skatepark and skateshop, Rocketown serves at-risk youth via its afterschool program, which offers culturally relevant arts, sports and entertainment...
<< Full Report >>

Julianna Zobrist, pop singer and wife of MLB All-Star Ben Zobrist, will be hosting the listening party of her latest release Say It Now on July 17th at Tropicana Stadium immediately following her performance of the National Anthem at the Tampa Bay Rays home game. The album, which released this Summer, was recently featured as the iTunes ® Download of the Week and attracting fans of all ages. Julianna is known for her electronic pop/rock music, as showcased on her most recent album...
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*Thursday, July 12, 2012*

Christian Copyright Solutions (CCS) announces the launch of CopyrightSolver's INDIEadmin, a unique online service for independent songwriters, artists and churches. Featuring full-service copyright administration, INDIEadmin provides independents with the tools to manage their copyrights online, review licenses, receive 100% of their royalties every month, and register their works with CCLI, US Copyright Office , ASCAP, BMI and SESAC...
<< Full Report >>

*Wednesday, July 11, 2012*

Earlier this year worship leader Kari Jobe hit No. 1 and No. 10 on Billboard's national Christian/Gospel and all-genre Top 200 charts with her second album, Where I Find You. Today you will find her newest release, The Acoustic Sessions, available for pre-order on iTunes. This special EP featuring acoustic versions of her most popular songs plus two acoustic performance videos officially releases July 17...
<< Full Report >>

R&R magazine's three-time Most Played Artist of the Year Matthew West releases his brand new single called " Forgiveness" on iTunes and Amazon MP3 this week. It's the first peek at his much-anticipated new album Into the Light, which will be in stores everywhere September 25. Check out the video story behind "Forgiveness" here.
Into the Light follows Matthew's best-selling The Story of Your Life...
<< Full Report >>

Centricity Music is offering fans and film enthusiasts the chance of a lifetime….to create the official music video for Andrew Peterson's new single, "Rest Easy." The entry information is listed below: 1. Contest rules and information are available at www.andrew-peterson.com. 2. Initial entries need to be submitted July 9 - August 14, 2012. 3. The top ten finalists will have their videos up for fan voting at Andrew Peterson's Facebook Fan Page, August 14-21, 2012...
<< Full Report >>

For the legions of music fans supporting their downloads and boosting their recognition value to the ranks of three of the fastest breaking new artists in Contemporary Christian music, this fall's "Proof Of Your Love Tour" co-billing of for King & Country, Jason Castro, and Dara Maclean offers the promise to concert-goers of validating just what all the excitement is about. The concert scheduling will run September through November with a planned routing of 30 U.S. markets...
<< Full Report >>

GRAMMY nominated and award-winning songwriter, Matt Redman, celebrates his first No. 1 single this week as "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)" topped the charts. The single reached No. 1 on the Christian AC Monitored chart and holds firm at No. 1 for the second consecutive week on the Christian AC Indicator chart. It has also held the No. 1 spot on the Christian Gospel Current Digial Tracks chart for six consecutive weeks and a total of eight weeks. The music video, shot in the Berlin church where Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a youth leader, premiered this week exclusively with K-LOVE. Watch the video here: www.KLOVE.com...
<< Full Report >>

Praise Him Ministries will present the 8th Annual NightVision Festival at Olathe Community Park in Olathe, Colo. on July 13-14. This year's event features celebrated worship leader Israel Houghton and international worship movement Planetshakers as well as a message by pastor/speaker Greg Laurie. Drawing more than 35,000 attendees in 2011, NightVision Festival is an evangelical tool geared toward community outreach, sharing the Gospel, and offering Jesus Christ to the western slope of Colorado. Using various forms of entertainment, it is intended to bring families together in unity...
<< Full Report >>

*Tuesday, July 10, 2012*

While NEEDTOBREATHE is busy playing shows in Europe, they've announced new US Tour Dates for the Fall!
Ticket Pre-sales start Tuesday July 10th, 12pm venue time for members of NEEDTOBREATHE’s Fan Club, The Insiders
Tickets go on General Sale starting Friday July 13th, 10am venue time. Check http://needtobreathe.net/tour-dates for the time your specific show goes on sale...
<< Full Report >>

This week, ska band Five Iron Frenzy announced a new remix project that gives fans the opportunity to stretch their creative musical talents with the latest Five Iron song. When the band announced their return last year, they released a brand new song titled "It Was a Dark and Stormy Night." It was made available for free and now the band wants YOU to have fun remixing it!
On a special page on their website, trumpet player Brad Dunham announces the project and offers...
<< Full Report >>

Big Idea Entertainment, a leading studio and producer of children's and family programming, characters and brands, announced today they will release their first-ever superhero themed DVD title, VeggieTales®: The League of Incredible Vegetables, on October 13 and October 16, 2012 in Christian and general market stores respectively. Based on Psalm 56:3 (ESV) which says, "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You," the title helps teach a lifelong lesson in handling fear, one of the most requested subject topics by VeggieTales fans and families, and includes a brand-new League theme song...
<< Full Report >>

In anticipation for the upcoming album release of Wait For the Siren on August 21, devout rock band Project 86 has premiered a new track, "SOTS," today, exclusively on RevolverMag.com. Wait For the Siren is currently available for preorder in a variety of exclusive bundles now at: http://project86.zambooie.com/, and will be available in stores and digitally on iTunes, Amazon and all major online retailers on August 21...
<< Full Report >>

Brothers McClurg, a worship band hailing from western New York, invites listeners to Join In The Sound with their first full-length album releasing July 31.
The new project follows the band's 2011 introductory digital EP Alive, which was lauded by Worship Leader magazine for its "tight harmonies" and "creative rhythms." For Join In The Sound, Brothers McClurg delivers more of those signature harmonies on 10 new songs plus three songs from the EP...
<< Full Report >>

Solo artist Amanda Noelle, formerly of Christian pop trio Kimber Rising, has announced she is making her solo artist debut with Save The City Records. Her first single, "Love is Greater," is currently at radio with plans for an upcoming fall EP release.
After the Nashville-based group Kimber Rising made the recent decision to disband, Amanda Noelle...
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Emerging Voices, the seventh new full-length recording from Jesus Culture Music, releases on Kingsway July 31, 2012 with EMI CMG Distribution in the US. The anticipated new album follows last year's critically acclaimed, No. 1- selling CD/DVD, Jesus Culture Awakening: Live From Chicago, and features four rising worship leaders: Derek Johnson, Mary Kat Ehrenzeller, Nate Ward and Justin Jarvis. "I'm excited to introduce four Emerging Voices to you that we know and love...
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NewSong frontman Russ Lee was a special guest at the recent Drive for Dinger Kickoff Dinner and Silent Auction held in Franklin, Tennessee. Attending with his wife Mary, a five-year cancer survivor, Lee is pictured at the event with St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher. The dinner preceded the 2012 Inaugural Drive for Dinger Celebrity Golf Tournament.
The Drive for Dinger events benefitted The Heimerdinger Foundation, which was established in memory of Mike Heimerdinger...
<< Full Report >>

Dove Award-winning artist Cheri Keaggy releases her new CD, So I Can Tell, today on the singer/songwriter's Psalm 91 record label. The first CD since her independent 2007 release, Because He First Loved Us, Keaggy draws on the encouragement of Scripture and her utter reliance on the comforting power of God to create an honest, engaging recording that is reflective of her emergence from a difficult season in life...
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EMI CMG Publishing announces the signing of GRAMMY-award winning songwriter Aaron Lindsey to their critically acclaimed roster of writers. Over the last 20 years, Lindsey has become a well sought after musician, producer, and clinician in Gospel and Christian music. Recognizing the variety of Lindsey's writing talent, EMI CMG Publishing sees his great potential in various styles of the Christian music industry...
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Today, Truli Media Group launches Truli.net, the world's only dynamic Christian social community and media content hub. The platform provides access to sermons from hundreds of ministries, family-friendly entertainment, educational programming and inspirational speakers from around the world.
Truli.net was founded by seasoned entertainment industry veteran Michael Jay Solomon, who is the former co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Telepictures...
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*Monday, July 9, 2012*

San Diego-based Future of Forestry releases a new collection of ambient, melodic rock songs on July 10th. The project is called Young Man Follow and will be available at iTunes, Amazon.com, Spotify, and other digital outlets. Special editions of the project will also be available through the band's online store. "It's been 2 years since the last album release of the Travel series. As I toured those albums I grew with them...
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GRAMMY® Nominee and Best New Artist Dove Award winner Jamie Grace is riding a wave of acclaim, popularity and radio success that now finds her debuting her new music video for her single "Come to Me" with the help of legendary singer-songwriter Joanne Cash, sister of the late, great Johnny Cash. In addition, the majority of the video was filmed at the Cash family's own Cash Cabin Studio. As the video debuted today on her official website JamieGrace.com, Grace comments...
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Platinum selling artist Mark Schultz is set to release his first studio project in three years with his forthcoming album, All Things Possible, on September 4. During his career Schultz has been widely embraced for his hit songs such as, "He's My Son," "Remember Me," "Letters From War" and "I Am." The title track of the album is Schultz's forthcoming single, available at radio July 13. The single will also be available at digital retailers beginning on July 17. The album is Schultz's debut release from his new label home, FairTrade Services...
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Owl City is excited to announce a world tour this fall in support of his new full-length studio album, The Midsummer Station - out August 21st on Universal Republic. The tour, which kicks off on September 5th at Nashville's Cannery Ballroom, begins just two weeks after the album release and will hit major cities across the U.S. and Canada before the North American leg concludes on October 7th at The Crofoot in Detroit, MI. Afterwards, Young will take off to France and make his way from Europe to Asia and finally wrap up the 45 date tour in New Zealand on November 3rd...
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The Ember Days are back from taking nine months off to spend time with their families and Jase and Janell to have baby Judah. Currently they are back on the road again playing Cornerstone Festival and dates through Indiana. They are recording their 3rd full length album! In September they will be recording with Paul Moak (Lovedrug, Leeland, Relient K) and Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe, David Crowder Band). It's a dream of The Ember Days to have the opportunity to partner with these producers...
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Gifted author and dramatist Nicole Johnson combines talents with award-winning Christian singer/songwriter Nichole Nordeman to produce Seasons Weekend bringing rejuvenating weekend experiences to people thirsty for a deeper connection with God. Reflecting the seasons of life, the duo has honed their gifts and talents with their friends to create weekend experiences in summer, autumn, winter and spring. An entirely new experiential concept, "Seasons Weekend is an invitation to be renewed and refreshed as you come to know and be known by God through the avenues of beauty, reflection, scripture, music and drama," said Johnson...
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EMI CMG Publishing has signed multi-award winning songwriter Gerald Crabb to their revered roster. As a distinguished musician, Crabb has produced over 400 written songs, 22 of which have become national No. 1 songs. Though still committed to the Southern Gospel genre that he has helped to define for decades, Crabb has developed a new passion for Country songwriting in recent years. While EMI CMG Publishing is a clear industry leader among Christian music publishers, their recent expansion into the Country genre has generated two Billboard year-end Top 100 Country singles in 2011 ("Love Don't Run," "Didn't I",) as well as the current Top 30 Country hit "Hard to Love" performed by Lee Brice. EMI CMG Publishing looks forward to their multi-faceted new partnership with Crabb...
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*Friday, July 6, 2012*

Louisiana's hard rock quartet, 12 Stones, will kick off the first leg of its headlining "Beneath The Scars" summer 2012 tour tonight in Merriam, Kan., with Blameshift, Digital Summer and Throwing Gravity in support. The acclaimed group's initial month-long summer trek will wrap up in Marietta, Ga. on August 7th, with a second round of dates to commence on August 9th. A full list of confirmed dates can be seen below. VIP meet-and-greet packages are available now through Soundrink...
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After teasing fans earlier this week about returning, rock band Number One Gun have launched a Kickstarter campaign to fun a brand new project featuring the band's original lineup.
"Number One Gun is back!" the band announces on the Kickstarter page, and follows it with, "Best friends join forces once again and come together to create a BRAND NEW ALBUM. We are so excited to do this! We are raising the funds to do this new record on our own so we need YOUR HELP! We want to create something amazing and have a blast doing it! Also, we will be making...
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Christian metal legends Tourniquet have announced a brand new, ten-track album, titled Antiseptic Bloodbath. About the project, the band announces, "The title track, ANTISEPTIC BLOODBATH, speaks of the way our society prefers to sanitize brutality. We can have our tidy Christian faith, or continue with no faith at all, as long as we don't consider the painful bloody price that was paid ...for us. We use animals for our food, profit, and amusement, but would rather not know about the needless, often systematic suffering that is inflicted on them by a callous and greedy humanity. "Don't upset my comfort zone - brutal truth, leave me alone...
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*Thursday, July 5, 2012*

It's been two years since fans had new music from DJ Andy Hunter. The electronic mastermind's last project, an EP titled Collide, released from Nettwerk in 2010, but the acclaimed techno artist has seemingly laid low since then. Earlier this year, Hunter announced work on a new EP that had been slated for release this year and the project is finally ready for listeners this month. The five-track EP, titled Glow, will be coming out on July 23rd on all major digital outlets...
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Lamp Mode Recordings has released Json's new music video for the single, "Brand New," from the album Growing Pains, which debuted at #4 on the iTunes Hip-Hop Chart when it released in February. One of this year's most anticipated Christian hip-hop releases, Growing Pains features collaborations with Lecrae, Mikeschair, Benjah, Jai and more.
"'Brand New' is a hype song about what it means for the believer to be made new in the image of Christ...
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Yesterday, one-half of hip hop act Mars ILL, Manchild, released a new solo album titled, Thunderspeak. The duo has been taking a break, but that hasn't kept Manchild from making new tunes and collaborating with other artists. Last year, the rapper released You Don't Know Jaq, in which he teamed with Jaq from Scribbling Idiots. This time around, Manchild is flying entirely under a solo banner for Thunderspeak...
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Best known for creating VeggieTales ® and the Buck Denver Asks...What's In The Bible DVD series, Phil Vischer is taking on a fast paced and often witty conversation regarding pop culture, media, theology, and living a thoughtful Christian life through his new venture, The Phil Vischer Podcast. Joined by co-host Skye Jethani (author and senior editor for Christianity Today's Leadership Journal) The Phil Vischer Podcast is a weekly conversation that features special guests from time to time, in-depth yet often humorous conversations, and an occasional appearance by Vischer's ukelele...
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Girl on a Mission Music has announced the release of Holly Spears: The Making of Heartache to Hope, an insider's look at the recording process of Holly Spears' critically acclaimed debut album, Heartache to Hope. A release party, held June 29th at popular Cincinnati nightspot The Redmoor, featured live performances with funds going to a local missions trip.
The DVD takes fans behind-the-scenes and features interviews with producer Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay, Bebo Norman, Caedmon's Call), members of Jars of Clay...
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Christian Copyright Solutions (CCS) has reached an agreement with YouTube that will now provide opportunities for CCS's independent publishers and songwriters to monetize their musical works through the video-sharing website. Through this deal, participating CCS writers and publishers can now opt to allow ads to run alongside user-generated content that incorporates their compositions, in turn generating shared advertising revenue for the songwriters, publishers, record labels and artists involved...
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Through word-of-mouth from a rabid, passionate fan base, indie worship leader Josh Garrels has become nothing short of a grassroots phenomenon. To accompany last year's fan favorite Love & War & The Sea In Between album, Garrels has now released a free b-sides EP.
The artist writes, "For months I've been secretly collaborating with a few artists, mixing in my studio, and working to bring you a little something new. Introducing...
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*Wednesday, July 4, 2012*

About an hour ago, Number One Gun teased their Facebook followers about a potential reunion of the band's original lineup coming up. The band posted, "What if the original line up of Number One Gun was recording a brand new record and playing shows together?? Ah oh...
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*Tuesday, July 3, 2012*

Yesterday, longtime NEEDTOBREATHE drummer Joe Stillwell announced his departure from the band. A replacement drummer has yet to be announced. Stillwell wrote, "To the NEEDTOBREATHE fans and family, To begin, I want to offer my sincere thanks to all of you who have supported our band through the years. I’ve been bandmates and brothers with Bear, Bo and Seth for the last 13 years, and those years have...
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The excitement is palpable as opening night quickly approaches for MOVE TOUR 2012 in Atlanta, GA on Saturday, July 14th. Today, producers Xist Music & UpLift! Group have released the official MOVE Promo Video by On The Real Films, available for viewing at http://youtu.be/5Olw11uJvgY, and announced the tour's first ever preshow sponsored by 1 Body Movement Entertainment (1BME) and PTnetworker Ministries. MOVE TOUR is part of the FrontGate Media group.
Sharing the inspiration behind the MOVE Pre-Show, UpLift! Group...
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Following in her father's footsteps, Katie Gustafson, daughter of worship songwriter Gerrit Gustafson, carries on a family tradition, offering up new songs of worship on a digital EP available from Kingsway on July 10.
Introducing Katie Gustafson is a collection of seven songs that Katie says, "came out of a season of growing desperation for intimacy with God… of crying out for more and of letting go...
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Label mates Lecrae, Tedashii, KB, Trip Lee, Andy Mineo and PRO will join together and embark on their 5th annual label tour this fall. Sponsored by Grand Canyon University and Logos, Reach Records will present the Unashamed Tour 2012: Come Alive.
After opening in Pittsburg on October 4, the Unashamed Tour 2012 will visit 30 cities in major markets such as New York City, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles and more. The tour will draw to a close on November 18 in Memphis, Tenn...
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P.O.D. has released a new video for the song "Murdered Love" from their forthcoming new studio album - WATCH HERE at Prevolume.com. P.O.D.'s first new album in four years, Murdered Love, is set for release on July 10th 2012 on Razor & Tie- available now for pre-order now on iTunes. The video for "Murdered Love" was filmed with director Ramon Boutisveth (All That Remains, For Today, Trivium) in the band's hometown of San Diego, California. Murdered Love is P.O.D.'s long-awaited follow-up...
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With only a few days at radio, the new 'Freedom Mix' of the radio single "Freedom in You" by TODDO (Todd Olivias) has soared with over 30 early station adds including Family Life Network, KALS Network and several mainstream outlets including KKPK in Colorado Springs (Click here for JFH's 1234567 EP review).
"This special song has great interest at Christian radio," said Dave Koch, President of CRW Radio Promotions. "The 'Freedom Mix' (listen here) features...
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The excitement is palpable as opening night quickly approaches for MOVE TOUR 2012 in Atlanta, GA on Saturday, July 14th. Today, producers Xist Music & UpLift! Group have released the official MOVE Promo Video by On The Real Films, available for viewing at http://youtu.be/5Olw11uJvgY, and announced the tour's first ever preshow sponsored by 1 Body Movement Entertainment (1BME) and PTnetworker Ministries. MOVE TOUR is part of the FrontGate Media group.
Sharing the inspiration behind the MOVE Pre-Show, UpLift! Group...
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*Monday, July 2, 2012*

Grammy-nominated Atlantic recording group Skillet can now add "Drummies Award" to their list of notable achievements. Drum Magazine's annual "Drummies Award" named Skillet's Jen Ledger this year's "Rising Star" in company along with drummers Chris Dave (Adele), Mike Johnstone, Dana Filloon (Junius) and Luke Holland (The Word Alive).
Check out this year's Drummies Award winners here: http://www.drummagazine.com/drummies/awards
Skillet was named as one of the highest ranking artists featured in Billboard's annual "The Year In Music" issue for 2011...
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Two classic recordings by Petra, one of Christian rock's most awarded and influential bands throughout the '70s, '80s and '90s, are being re-released July 3 from Star Song Music as special Anniversary Editions including bonus tracks. This Means War!: 25th Anniversary Edition has been digitally remastered for the first time, and includes three bonus live concert solos from longtime Petra members Bob Hartman (guitar), John Lawry (keyboards), and Louie Weaver (drums). This Means War! was Petra's 10th studio recording and received a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Gospel Performance. The project features the Christian radio classics "Get On Your Knees And Fight Like A Man," "Don't Let Your Heart Be Hardened," and...
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GRAMMY® award-winning and multi-platinum-selling artist Michael W. Smith has traversed the globe in 2012, kicking off an international tour last January which visited countries including Brazil, Australia, England, Northern Ireland, Canada, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Switzerland and Latvia. Soon Smith will embark on a final leg, including shows in Canada, South Africa, a USO Tour and his traditional Symphony Christmas tour; but not before stopping off in Nashville for the wedding of his daughter Anna earlier
this month...
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*Sunday, July 1, 2012*

Rock band Disicple have just released a new five-song digital live video EP called 4 Nights In California, available at a you-name-it price via DiscipleRocks.com. The video, presented in high quality, is made up of footage from four different nights in California on this year's Rock & Worship Roadshow, in which the band played a truncated set with other big names in CCM. The 18-and-a-half-minute video includes performances of songs "Watch It Burn," "Dear X," "Game On," "Invisible" and "Rise Up."
As the guys tour the festival circuit this summer, Disciple is getting ready to release a brand new studio album, titled O God Save Us All, later this year...
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Next Friday, September 20Jeremy CampThe Story's Not Over [Capitol]Life.Church WorshipGod So Good [DREAM]William McDowellThe Cry: A Live Worship Experience [Integrity]North Point Inside OutWide Open EP [Centricity]Social Club MisfitsDOOM - EP [Capitol]